Barack Obama and liberal elitism

In the years 2000 through 2004, before becoming a United States Senator and being in the public spotlight, Obama gave less than 2% of his earnings to charity even though he made $250,000 per year.[1][2] In the years 2000 to 2002, Barack Obama gave less than 1% of his income to charity.[3] For more information please see: Barack Obama and uncharitableness

Barack Obama has consistently shown himself to be a liberal elitist who looks down on "ordinary" Americans. Asked to explain why many small town Democrats do not support him while campaigning for the Pennsylvania primary, Barack Obama replied "it's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." When Obama made this remark he was alluding to small town people who had experienced long periods of joblessness. In response to outrage when his remarks were unexpectedly publicized, Obama did not recount his statement but instead replied, I "didn't say it as well as I should have."[4] Although many rural counties went for McCain, Obama carried the state with 54.6% of the vote, compared to 44.3% for John McCain.[5]

In an attempt to counter the view by many that Obama is an elitist, he began running campaign ads claiming that he "worked his way through college and Harvard Law." This claim is at best an exaggeration, as Obama only held summer jobs while in college and law school,[6] and he would have likely benefited from special scholarships not available to most students. Obama's haughty and elitist attitude has caused internet personality Sam Vaknin to speculate that the President may be a narcissist, a charge which has been seized upon by Obama's critics.

Obama Administration health care plan and liberal elitism

In 2007, when Obama was running for the office of President of the United States, he promised Americans "health care that is as good as the health care that I have as a member of Congress."[7] However, recently when a newspaper reporter pressed Obama on whether he would commit to Americans having the same health care as congressmen, Obama repeatedly refused to commit to his previous promise of Americans having the same coverage as members of Congress.[8] President Obama merely claimed Americans would have health care coverage that would "largely match up" with what members of Congress have.[9] President Obama also stated he is constantly followed around by a personal physician.[10] The Obama administration's liberal elitism is not unusual when it comes to health care. For example, Belinda Stronach, a former Member of the Canadian Parliament, chose to have a surgical treatment in the United States rather than be treated in Canada for her condition (Canada has a socialized medicine system of health care).[11]

Congressman John Fleming has offered a legislative amendment that would require United States congressmen and senators to take the same health care plan they try to force on others (under proposed legislation they are curiously exempt). Congressman Fleming is encouraging people to go to his website and sign his petition.[12]